Former Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has had his jail term reduced to 24 years for allegedly facilitating the travel of Tunisian jihadists to Syria, in what has become known as the “Tasfir” case.
The Appeals Court of Tunis confirmed the sentence late Thursday, lowering the initial 34-year term previously imposed. The prosecution had originally requested the maximum sentence, and the original verdict, handed down in May 2025, reflected that demand.
Larayedh, a prominent figure in the Islamist opposition party Ennahda, served as Prime Minister of Tunisia from 2013 to 2014, in the tumultuous period following the Arab Spring. His party criticized the court’s decision, calling it “politically motivated,” and highlighted lingering questions about the strength of the evidence presented during his initial trial.
The court also issued sentences for seven other individuals implicated in the case, ranging from three to 28 years in prison.
The ruling underscores ongoing tensions in Tunisia over political accountability and the country’s approach to individuals accused of supporting extremist movements abroad. While the reduction in Larayedh’s sentence may signal some judicial moderation, the case remains a focal point for debate over the intersection of politics, justice, and security in post-revolutionary Tunisia.
